Malaga cancels Shinji Okazaki's contract

LONDON – Spanish second-division side Malaga said Tuesday it has canceled its contract with forward Shinji Okazaki just a little over a month after he joined the club.

The team announced a one-year deal with Okazaki on July 30 but was unable to register the striker because his wage demands meant the struggling club would exceed its maximum budget spend as permitted by the league.

The parties had an agreement to scrap Okazaki’s contract and allow him to sign with another team if the financial issue could not be resolved by the league’s summer transfer deadline on Monday.

Malaga offered thanks to Okazaki “for his commitment shown during this time and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”

According to sources close to the matter, the 33-year-ol dOkazaki is expected to join another Spanish second-division side, Huesca. He had yet to make a league appearance for Malaga.

Okazaki was a member of the Leicester City side that won the 2015-16 English Premier League title but sought a move elsewhere in Europe after struggling to earn playing time last season.